Young Muslim advisory group launched in UK

The UK Minister for Communities, Hazel Blears and Children and Families Minister, Ed Balls launched a new Young Muslim Advisory Group recently, unveiling the names of the 22 young people who will act as advisors to the UK government, said a press release of British High Commission on Friday.
The group, who will have their first official meeting in the coming weeks, will work directly with the Government to help deepen its engagement with young Muslims. The advisors will talk to ministers and policy makers first hand about the issues affecting their day to day lives.
Ranging in age from 16-25 this unique group is comprised individuals from across England and across denominations and includes students, undergraduates as well as a trainee lawyer, youth leaders, a speech and language therapist.
The Young Muslim Advisory Group (YMAG) will have direct access to senior cabinet ministers and will work with Government departments to find solutions to a range of challenges including tackling discrimination; increasing employment levels; preventing extremism and boosting civic participation.
The young advisors will bring a wide range of experience. These youngmen are already heavily involved in their local communities through volunteering, youth work or as representatives on local groups. The advisors have a huge reach into communities and this contact will help to generate debate and discussion amongst the widest possible audience. The Advisory Group will give these young people a seat at the table of the Department for Communities and Local Government, and Children Schools and Families. They will speak on behalf of their peers and communities on issues that cut to the heart of what it is to be a British Muslim in today's modern society.
Their activities will include delivering a youth conference for around 300 young people to discuss the challenges they face as young Muslims and their vision for their future as British Muslims and identifying ways in which to encourage young people to volunteer within their local communities.
In exchange Government is keen to get the views of the group on tackling radicalising material on the Internet and how best to boost the representation and participation of young Muslims is civic life such as becoming local councillors or school governors.